4 Female-Led Rock Bands From the 1980s Who Made the Genre Even Better
American Songwriter highlights four female-led acts whose 1980s releases and radio success helped shape mainstream rock.
– Heart, fronted by Ann and Nancy Wilson, built a run of hits including “What About Love”, “These Dreams” and “Alone”.
– Roxette, led vocally by Marie Fredriksson alongside Per Gessle, achieved No. 1 singles with “The Look” and “Listen To Your Heart”.
– Eurythmics, featuring Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, broke through in 1983 with “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)”.
– Joan Jett and the Blackhearts scored their sole No. 1 with “I Love Rock ’N’ Roll” in 1982 and had several further hits.
- Four female-led acts are credited with strengthening 1980s rock.
- Heart and Roxette delivered major radio hits.
- Eurythmics and Joan Jett achieved defining breakthrough singles.